Tunable Architecture for Multiple Form Factors With an Antenna Booster Element for Multiband Operation

Abstract

Wearables, trackers, and sensors all fall under the category of IoT (Internet of Things) devices. Despite their differences in size, the efficiency of their antennas is crucial, especially considering the need for compactness and effectiveness across multiple frequency bands. To address these requirements, a tunable architecture is proposed, featuring a single switch SP4T (Single-Pole 4-Throw) that operates seamlessly from 698 MHz to 960 MHz and from 1710 MHz to 2170 MHz. In contrast to conventional methods relying on intricate geometric antenna shapes for achieving multiband performance, this design adopts a 30 mm x 3 mm x 1 mm (0.07λ) non-resonant element called an antenna booster. Coupled with a multiband matching network, this approach ensures efficient operation across multiple frequency bands. This design maintains consistency across 5 PCBs (Printed Circuit Boards) with different form factors, demonstrating robustness without changing the bill of materials (BoM). This design philosophy presents a streamlined alternative for incorporating antennas into various devices without the need for separate implementations.